Action heroines

Rolf Konow / Sony Picture Entertainment

By Robert W. Welkos, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer They're lean, mean fighting machines with gorgeous looks, steely expressions and gams up to here. They are the kick-butt women of Hollywood, those lithe and limber actresses who have carved out a niche for themselves with their karate moves, blade fights and an ability to master weapons of any kind -- just like the video-game and comic-book heroines they often portray on the big screen. For years, Arnold, Sly and Bruce were the names that were synonymous with action hero. Now, even with "The Exendables" released, they're more likely to be Milla, Kate and Jennifer. To be sure, the public doesn't always like what it gets -- "Catwoman" and "Aeon Flux" bombed at the box office -- but that doesn't mean the ladies aren't trying. Little by little, in fact, they are transforming the sci-fi/action genre that once seemed like an all-male domain. (Above: Milla Jovovich in "Resident Evil: Extinction.")

By Robert W. Welkos, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer They're lean, mean fighting machines with gorgeous looks, steely expressions and gams up to here. They are the kick-butt women of Hollywood, those lithe and limber actresses who have carved out a niche for themselves with their karate moves, blade fights and an ability to master weapons of any kind -- just like the video-game and comic-book heroines they often portray on the big screen. For years, Arnold, Sly and Bruce were the names that were synonymous with action hero. Now, even with "The Exendables" released, they're more likely to be Milla, Kate and Jennifer. To be sure, the public doesn't always like what it gets -- "Catwoman" and "Aeon Flux" bombed at the box office -- but that doesn't mean the ladies aren't trying. Little by little, in fact, they are transforming the sci-fi/action genre that once seemed like an all-male domain. (Above: Milla Jovovich in "Resident Evil: Extinction.") (Rolf Konow / Sony Picture Entertainment)

Action vehicles: "Resident Evil," "Resident Evil: Apocalypse," "Ultraviolet," "Resident Evil: Extinction," "Resident Evil: Afterlife." She may be the international spokesmodel for L'Oreal cosmetics, but the Ukrainian-born Jovovich has simultaneously morphed into a high-octane sci-fi/action heroine. In her last film, "Resident Evil: Extinction," Jovovich reprised her role as Alice, who has been subjected to biogenic experimentation and genetically altered to have superhuman abilities. Based on a popular video game, the latest film finds Alice traveling through the Nevada desert on a tricked-out motorbike amid the ruins of Las Vegas. Its in a sand-covered Sin City that she fights off hordes of zombies and mutant creatures in an attempt to save the world from a deadly virus. The first "Resident Evil" grossed $102 million worldwide in 2002; the sequel grossed $129 million. The last in the series, "Resident Evil: Afterlife," is still in the theaters. Jovovich also starred in the futuristic action film "Ultraviolet," and in "The Fifth Element."

Action vehicles: "Resident Evil," "Resident Evil: Apocalypse," "Ultraviolet," "Resident Evil: Extinction," "Resident Evil: Afterlife." She may be the international spokesmodel for L'Oreal cosmetics, but the Ukrainian-born Jovovich has simultaneously morphed into a high-octane sci-fi/action heroine. In her last film, "Resident Evil: Extinction," Jovovich reprised her role as Alice, who has been subjected to biogenic experimentation and genetically altered to have superhuman abilities. Based on a popular video game, the latest film finds Alice traveling through the Nevada desert on a tricked-out motorbike amid the ruins of Las Vegas. Its in a sand-covered Sin City that she fights off hordes of zombies and mutant creatures in an attempt to save the world from a deadly virus. The first "Resident Evil" grossed $102 million worldwide in 2002; the sequel grossed $129 million. The last in the series, "Resident Evil: Afterlife," is still in the theaters. Jovovich also starred in the futuristic action film "Ultraviolet," and in "The Fifth Element." (Jay Maidment / Screen Gems)